Methods and systems for detection of targeted substances

ABSTRACT

A detection system for testing a targeted substance includes: a pad that includes a test area for receiving the targeted substance; and an image readable by an image sensor and positioned a predetermined distance from the test area, the image being configured to facilitate alignment of the image sensor with the testing area for a colorimetric analysis based on the predetermined distance between the image and the test area.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. Application No.16/426,872, filed May 30, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.Application No. 15/156,766, filed May 17, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No.10,354,412 issued on Jul. 16, 2019), which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Pat. Application No. 62/261,098 filed on Nov. 30, 2015, thedisclosures of which, including the specification, drawings, and claims,is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to the field of detection of targetedsubstances, e.g., chemicals, drugs, explosives, and biological agents.More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a receptacle forthe collection of the targeted substances and the performance of ananalysis to determine the presence of the targeted substance. Thedetection of the substance can be performed by a computing device, e.g.,a portable computing device for detection, data collection, andcommunications.

2. Background Information

Various groups, including those in law enforcement, military, privatesecurity, agriculture, medical profession, and parents may have a needfor a method of detecting the presence of substances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary general computer system that includes a set ofinstructions for the apparatus and method for detection of substances,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of an implementation of an apparatusand method associated with the detection of trace and bulk substances,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary right side perspective view of a receptacle,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary front plan view of the receptacle, according toan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary rear plan view of the receptacle, according to anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is an exemplary right side plan view of the receptacle,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6B is an exemplary plan view of the inside of the cover with a swabinserted in the receptacle, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary front plan view of an alternate embodiment of thecover of the receptacle, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8A is an exemplary right side exploded view of the alternativeembodiment of FIG. 7 of the receptacle, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 8B is an exploded view of another embodiment of the receptacle,according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary right side perspective view of an inside view ofthe cover 304b, of the embodiment of FIG. 7 , according to an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary right perspective view of an inside of thebottom wall of the receptacle, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 11A is an exemplary front plan view of an alternate embodiment ofthe receptacle, according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11B is an exemplary right side plan view of the alternateembodiment of the receptacle, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 12A is an exemplary view of a swab, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12B is an exemplary view of a swab, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12C is an exemplary view of a swab, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary view of a label that may be affixed to the frontcover of the receptacle, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary flowchart by which a determination of thepresence of a chemical substance, element, compound is made, using atleast one color reagent, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15A shows exemplary aligning indicia displayed on the computingdevice by the application with indicia such as an identification code orother indicia on the receptacle, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15B shows exemplary aligning indicia displayed on the computingdevice by the application with indicia such as an identification code orother indicia on the receptacle, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 shows an exemplary flow of the test process, according to anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17A shows an exemplary flow of a step in the test process shown inFIG. 16 , according to an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17B show an exemplary flow for color balancing, according to anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18A is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 18B is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 18C is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 19A is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 19B is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 19C is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 19D is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 19E is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 19F is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 20A is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 20B is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 20C is an exemplary screenshot, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure, through one or more ofits various aspects, embodiments and/or specific features orsub-components, is thus intended to bring out one or more of theadvantages as specifically noted below.

Methods described herein are illustrative examples, and as such are notintended to require or imply that any particular process of anyembodiment be performed in the order presented. Words such as“thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the orderof the processes, and these words are instead used to guide the readerthrough the description of the methods. Further, any reference to claimelements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an” or“the”, is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

The apparatus and method provides for the automated colorimetricdetection of targeted substances with reporting and evidence collectiontools. It makes it easy for users such as law enforcement to accuratelydetect substances of interest while removing the hassle of reporting andpaperwork. The reporting functionality allows a user to transmit resultsover a communications network as desired.

The present disclosure pertains to a colorimetric system for detecting asubstance. The colorimetric system includes a receptacle or pouch withinwhich one or more ampoules are adapted to release one or more chemicals(e.g., reagents) to an area defining a test location. The test locationmay include a swab to which the substance is applied. The one or morechemicals are released to flow, by gravity, to at least one test area.In systems where multiple ampoules are utilized, sequencing of thechemicals from those ampoules can be done to achieve sequential chemicalflows, resulting in multiple chemical reactions facilitating morecomplex colorimetric detection.

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to detect substancesthat require one or more chemical reactions to perform a colorimetricreaction. Embodiments may include using a chemical reaction to modifythe molecular structure of a substance before a subsequent definedchemical reaction can be executed to provide for the colorimetricreaction process to identify the substance in the colorimetric reaction.

Automated colorimetric detection is the use of a known computing devicewith known detection algorithms and optics to give a determination ofthe presence of a targeted substance without the interpretation of thehuman vision or sight. Manual colorimetric detection is different fromautomated in that it requires human color recognition through vision oreyesight for the determination of a targeted substance and resultdetermination.

Essentially, a sample of the unknown trace is collected on the test areaof the swab or inserted into the testing area of the receptacle. Achemical reaction with the unknown substance is initiated using liquidreagents and dissolve compounds contained in at least one ampoulecontained in the receptacle. A reaction is initiated after inserting theswab, or bulk substance, in the receptacle and rupturing the ampoules,thus establishing fluid communication between the reagents and theunknown substance. The fluid communication may be established viaspecific paths like channels or grooves defined in the pouch or withwicks via capillary action by virtue of a snug fit of the components ofthe receptacle, as will be explained in further detail herein. Further,chemicals from the ampoules may be released to react in specific regionsof the swab or receptacle or the regions may be temporally separated forchemical reactions.

In one embodiment, the application discussed herein uses a smartphonecamera to detect the color of a chemical reaction, and compares thecolor against known wavelengths of colors, to identify a targetedsubstance.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative embodiment of a general computer system, onwhich a method of detection of trace and bulk substances can beimplemented, and which is shown and is designated 100. The computersystem 100 can include a set of instructions that can be executed tocause the computer system 100 to perform any one or more of the methodsor computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system 100may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, for example,using a network 101, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 100 may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The computer system 100 can alsobe implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as astationary computer, a mobile computer, a personal computer (PC), alaptop computer, a tablet computer, a wireless smart phone, a set-topbox (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a global positioningsatellite (GPS) device, a computing device, a control system, a camera,a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any othermachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Thecomputer system 100 can be incorporated as, or in, a particular devicethat in turn is in an integrated system that includes additionaldevices. In a particular embodiment, the computer system 100 can beimplemented using electronic devices that provide voice, video or datacommunication. Further, while a single computer system 100 isillustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken to include anycollection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointlyexecute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or morecomputer functions. The computer system 100 may include a computingdevice including a camera (e.g., code reader, image reader, and/orscanner, etc.) having an optical system configured to capture images.The computer system 100 may include a smart phone or other computingdevice having communications software for transmitting and receivingcommunications over a network. The camera of the computing device may beinternal or external to the computer system 100. Of course, the computersystem 100 may be powered by alternating current or direct current andmay include a battery configured to power the apparatus. The computersystem 100 may be portable.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the computer system 100 includes a processor110. A processor for a computer system 100 is tangible andnon-transitory. As used herein, the term “non-transitory” is to beinterpreted not as an eternal characteristic of a state, but as acharacteristic of a state that will last for a period of time. The term“non-transitory” specifically disavows fleeting characteristics such ascharacteristics of a particular carrier wave or signal or other formsthat exist only transitorily in any place at any time. A processor is anarticle of manufacture and/or a machine component. A processor for acomputer system 100 is configured to execute software instructions inorder to perform functions as described in the various embodimentsherein. A processor for a computer system 100 may be a general purposeprocessor or may be part of an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC). A processor for a computer system 100 may also be amicroprocessor, a microcomputer, a processor chip, a controller, amicrocontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a state machine, or aprogrammable logic device. A processor for a computer system 100 mayalso be a logical circuit, including a programmable gate array (PGA)such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or another type ofcircuit that includes discrete gate and/or transistor logic. A processorfor a computer system 100 may be a central processing unit (CPU), agraphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Additionally, any processordescribed herein may include multiple processors, parallel processors,or both. Multiple processors may be included in, or coupled to, a singledevice or multiple devices.

Moreover, the computer system 100 includes a main memory 120 and astatic memory 130 that can communicate with each other via a bus 108.Memories described herein are tangible storage mediums that can storedata and executable instructions, and are non-transitory during the timeinstructions are stored therein. As used herein, the term“non-transitory” is to be interpreted not as an eternal characteristicof a state, but as a characteristic of a state that will last for aperiod of time. The term “non-transitory” specifically disavows fleetingcharacteristics such as characteristics of a particular carrier wave orsignal or other forms that exist only transitorily in any place at anytime. A memory described herein is an article of manufacture and/ormachine component. Memories described herein are computer-readablemediums from which data and executable instructions can be read by acomputer. Memories as described herein may be random access memory(RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash memory, electrically programmableread only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, tape, compactdisk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), floppydisk, blu-ray disk, or any other form of storage medium known in theart. Memories may be volatile or non-volatile, secure and/or encrypted,unsecure and/or unencrypted.

As shown, the computer system 100 may further include a video displayunit 150, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic lightemitting diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or acathode ray tube (CRT). Additionally, the computer system 100 mayinclude an input device 160, such as a keyboard/virtual keyboard ortouch-sensitive input screen or speech input with speech recognition,and a cursor control device 170, such as a mouse or touch-sensitiveinput screen or pad. The computer system 100 can also include a diskdrive unit 180, a signal generation device 190, such as a speaker orremote control, and a network interface device 140.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1 , the disk drive unit180 may include a computer-readable medium 182 in which one or more setsof instructions 184, e.g. software, can be embedded. Sets ofinstructions 184 can be read from the computer-readable medium 182.Further, the instructions 184, when executed by a processor, can be usedto perform one or more of the methods and processes as described herein.In a particular embodiment, the instructions 184 may reside completely,or at least partially, within the main memory 120, the static memory130, and/or within the processor 110 during execution by the computersystem 100.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logicarrays and other hardware components, can be constructed to implementone or more of the methods described herein. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules.Accordingly, the present disclosure encompasses software, firmware, andhardware implementations. Nothing in the present application should beinterpreted as being implemented or implementable solely with softwareand not hardware such as a tangible non-transitory processor and/ormemory.

One aspect of the testing application is designed for a computing devicesuch as smartphone; however, any computing device may be employed,including any client device or user device. The testing application isconfigured to detect various substances with examples being explosives,including both military and commercial grade, drugs, bio-hazards,homemade explosives (HMEs) and toxins. The application analyzes andworks with a receptacle and an optional swab to sample both trace andbulk amounts of substances of interest. Colorimetric reactions areanalyzed with the application operating on a computing device. Resultsare displayed on the application with other test information and loggedfor later viewing. The application includes report building tools thatallow the user to collect pictures, incorporate notes, add a location,and more to a test result. For example, the information and pictures arepackaged together and built into a single report that can be exported invarious ways. The application also includes live help videos, detaileddrug and explosive definition libraries, in-application receptaclepurchasing, activity logging, etc.

The application uses the camera of the computing device (e.g.,smartphone) (or other optical camera, or any other device such as aphotosensor, visible light sensor, spectrometer, etc.) to analyze theswab inside of the receptacle and immediately determine if the targetedsubstance is present. The application reports the result along withother test data and displays it clearly for the user. The user then hasthe option to take the result and create a report by adding more datasuch as pictures, notes, location, etc. The data is packaged together ina report and can be exported in a variety of ways.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of an implementation of an apparatusand method associated with the detection of trace and bulk substances,according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The computing device201 is equipped with an optical imaging system, having an image sensor,such as a camera that a user 202 of the computing device 201 can use tocapture an image of a chemical reaction test performed within areceptacle 301. After the user 202 captures the image with the camera,the computing device 201 is configured to initiate a colorimetric testvia the application on the computing device 201. The colorimetric testmay be performed via an application on the computing device 201 or thecomputing device 201 may transmit the image data over a network to anetwork node having the requisite combination of hardware and softwareto complete the colorimetric test and return the test to the computingdevice 201.

In one embodiment, the computing device 201 may be configured tocommunicate with a network such as a cloud 250 via one or moreappropriate networks. For example, the computing device 201 may transmitdata related to an image obtained via the camera of the computing device201 so that the colorimetric analysis, or any other function associatedwith testing or reporting, may be performed by the cloud 250. In thisregard, the cloud 250 is a computing system including a combination ofhardware and software configured to receive requests from the computingdevice 201 and return responses to the computing device 201. Forexample, the cloud 250 may be a public cloud(s), private cloud(s),and/or combination of public or private clouds. In addition to orinstead of hardware and software, virtual hardware configured to emulatesoftware may be employed. Thus, the colorimetric analysis may beperformed on the computing device 201 and/or at the cloud 250.Additionally, the cloud 250 may communicate with one or more externalservers or service providers 260, 270 capable of providing thecolorimetric analysis and reporting the results back through the cloud250 to the computing device 201 for review by the user 202. If thecolorimetric test is performed locally on the computing device 201, thentransmitting the image data to a remote location for testing is notrequired.

In an alternative embodiment, the computing device 201, cloud 250,and/or service providers 260, 270 may be in communication with a paymentsystem that is configured to generate payment requests and acceptpayment for conducting the colorimetric tests discussed herein.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary right side perspective view of a receptacle,according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The receptacle 301,also referred to herein as a pouch or a container, includes a main body302, a neck portion 303 extending from the main body 302, a base 304 aand a cover 304 b sealed to and extending along peripheral upper sideedges of the base 304 a side of the main body 302 and the neck portion303. In one embodiment, the main body 302 houses an upper first chamberand the neck portion 303 houses a lower second chamber. The neck portion303 is at least partially defined by outwardly extending tapered wallsof both the base 304 a and the cover 304 b projecting from a distal endof the main body 302 such that the neck portion 303 is generallyY-shaped.

Advantageously, the Y-shaped neck portion 303 defines a transitionregion between the distal end of the main body 302 and the neck portion303 in order to promote an efficient and directed flow of liquid reagentfrom the main body 302 to the neck portion 303 for a colorimetricreaction. The shape of the receptacle 301 is designed so that reagentchemical flows downward to a bottom end of the receptacle 301 (when thepouch is held in a vertical position), and then is at least partiallywicked up by a swab pad 331 (as will be shown and discussed later) toreact with any particle material on the swab pad 331. The entirereceptacle 301 is packed into a small form factor for portability andhandling.

The base 304 a of the receptacle 301 main body 302 includes a bottom (orback) wall and a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from thebottom wall to peripheral side edges of the receptacle 301 so as todefine at least one chamber (also referred to as at least one walledcavity 321 discussed in detail below) which contains at least oneampoule or capsule. Where multiple chambers are implemented, themultiple chambers may have openings, grooves, and/or channels such thatthe chambers can be in fluid communication with each other. For example,a first chamber and a second chamber may be in fluid communication witheach other to ensure a colorimetric reaction occurs during a substancetesting operation. The neck portion 303 also includes a bottom (or back)wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottomwall to the peripheral side edges of the receptacle 301.

Optionally, the cover 304 b includes two sets of upper ribs 306 and twosets of lower ribs 307. The two sets of upper ribs 306 and the two setsof lower ribs 307 extend laterally across the receptacle 301 at spacedintervals so as to enhance exterior gripping of the receptacle. Each setof ribs includes a plurality of ridges that project inwardly toward aninner side of the based 304 a and outwardly away from the cover 304 b ofthe receptacle. The outwardly projecting ridges are designed to providean exterior gripping surface for a user, and the inwardly projectingridges are design to provide a reduced surface area contacting theampoule 340 on an interior side of the cover 304 b to assist the user202 in rupturing, via a squeezing/breaking operation, at least oneampoule 340 inside the at least one chamber of the receptacle 301. Inone embodiment, the upper ribs 306 contain fewer ribs than the lowerribs 307; although, any suitable number and size may be employed. In oneembodiment, the entire cover 304 b is transparent, while in anotherembodiment, only the neck portion 303 is transparent. Further, the ribs306, 307 may be configured and arranged in any suitable fashion, such ashorizontal, vertical, or diagonal. In one embodiment, spike-likeprojections may be employed rather than ribs 306, 307 to grip thereceptacle 301 and break the ampoule. The ribs 306, 307 also identify tothe user 202 where to place their fingers on the receptacle 301 torupture the ampoule 340. Additionally, the ribs 306, 307 provideadditional strength to the material (e.g., plastic) of the receptacle301, due to the ripple-like ribs 306, 307.

A proximal side of the receptacle 301 includes an opening 308 definedbetween topmost areas of the cover 304 b and a bottom wall of the base304 a to allow for the removal and insertion of a swab 330 (alsoreferred to as a swab insertion region as will be discussed in detailbelow). In embodiments, and as shown, e.g., in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 8 , asurface of the insertion region defined by the bottom wall of the base304 a may be inclined downwardly relative to the cover 304 b. The neckregion 303 is provided on the opposite distal end of the receptacle 301.

The material of the cover 304 b, if provided, can be plastic or othersuitable material. The cover 304 b can also be opaque, transparent orclear, or tinted. In embodiments, the cover 304 b is clear or at leastincludes a clear window over the second chamber to frame the swabtesting area for detection and colorimetric analysis. The thickness ofthe material of the base 304 a and the cover 304 b may be the same ordifferent. In embodiments, the base 304 a material thickness is thickerthan the cover 304 b material thickness to enhance a one way valvefunction of the receptacle 301 and prevent liquid that flows to thetesting area from escaping or leaking out of the opening 308 provided atthe proximal end thereof.

Optionally, the receptacle 301 also includes a mounting protrusion 309that extends upwardly from a distal end of the neck portion 303 into aninterior thereof so as to project toward the testing area. The mountingprotrusion 309 acts to stop a downward insertion (toward the distal endof the receptacle 301) of the swab 330 (i.e., test swab) during asubstance testing operation by the user, in order to prevent the pad 331of the swab 330 from contacting an inside distal end of the receptacle301 and being positioned in a pool of the released reagent, which couldcause an adverse reaction between the substance on the pad 331 and thereagent if the pad 331 were saturated by the pooled reagent.Additionally, the mounting protrusion 309 prevents shadows which wouldotherwise be cast by the saturated swab 330 and unintentionally lead tocolor variance and ultimately inaccurate test results. In oneembodiment, the mounting protrusion 309 extends upwardly from an innerwall of the cover 304 b, but may alternately extend upwardly from thebottom wall 320 of the base 304 a.

In one optional embodiment, a surface of the mounting protrusion 309with which the pad 331 contacts is inclined away from the inside of thecover 304 b toward the bottom wall 320 such that when the pad 331 isinserted into the receptacle 301, the pad 331 contacts the top of thesurface of the mounting protrusion 309 and slides down the inclinedsurface away from the inside of the cover 304 b.

The cover 304 b includes the test window 310 located in the neck portion303. The test window 310 is provided for observation of the testing areaand for performing the colorimetric test and analysis. The test window310 can be opaque, transparent or clear, or tinted. In embodiments, thetest window 310 frames the swab testing area. In one embodiment, onlythe test window 310 of the cover 304 b is transparent. The test window310 may be raised from body of the receptacle 301 or even (flat) on thesurface of the receptacle.

The material of the receptacle 301, apart from the cover 304 b, can be,for example, cardboard, or any of the plastics, rubbers, polymers,elastomers, any combination thereof. The main body 302 can also beopaque, transparent or clear, tinted, white, black, etc. In embodiments,the main body 302 and the neck portion 303 (outside of the test window310) is white so as to enhance accurate image detection. For example,the cover 304 b may be formed from a matte clear plastic so that thecamera on the computing device can easily capture an image of the pad331 through, the swab 330 may be formed from white plastic, and the base304 a may be formed from black plastic, such that the black plasticprovide contrast to the white color of the swab 330 against the blackbackground of the base 304 a for accurate color detection on the pad 331by the application on the computing device 201.

The material of the receptacle 301 has sufficient strength, punctureresistance, elasticity so as to prevent puncture of the same even whenthe receptacle 301 is manipulated by the user 202 and the ampoules arecrushed by the user 202 during a test operation to prevent shards ofglass and/or plastic from puncturing the receptacle 301 and injuring theuser 202. In addition, the receptacle is configured to enhance shockabsorption so as to prevent inadvertent ampoule breakage during storage,transit or handling by the user prior to use.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, prior to use, thereceptacle 301 may be sealed in sterile bags in order to preventcontamination of the receptacle prior to testing of a test sample. Inone embodiment, the receptacle 301 may be sealed in a metallic lined bagto keep light and contaminants out, and include a perforated tear stripto unseal and open the bag, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure. While the receptacle 301 in FIG. 3 is shown as asubstantially rectangular container having a tapered end on onelongitudinal side, any suitable shape may be employed. For example, thereceptacle 301 may be rectangular, circular, triangular, polygonal, etc.The receptacle 301 may have no taper, a taper on one end, or tapered onboth ends.

The receptacle 301 is configured to test either trace or bulk samples,and is operable with computing devices, such as mobile devices, tablets,and smartphones. In an embodiment where the receptacle 301 is tapered onboth ends, each end may include a separate testing area. In anotheraspect, a reaction between a targeted substance and a reagent may beobserved by a naked eye of the observer. Thus, a computing device is notnecessary according to this aspect. For example, by visually observingthe color of a reaction between the targeted substance and the reagent,the user can see whether a positive test is detected, e.g., if thereaction between the targeted substance and the reagent is red, then thepresence of cocaine is positive; and if no color reaction is observed orif the color is anything but red, then the presence of cocaine isnegative.

At least one label on the receptacle 301 and/or cover 304 b may containat least one identification code (e.g., a Quick Response Code™ or QRCODE™) 311 which is specially placed, e.g., aligned, at a predetermineddistance from the pad 331 of the swab 330 in the test window 310 of thepouch 301, so that the application on the computing device 201 (e.g.,smartphone, smartglasses, smartwatch, tablet, etc.) can identify orapproximate the exact location of the test sample on the pad 331 in thereceptacle 301, so that the analysis of the trace material on the swab330 can be analyzed.

The identification code 311 on the receptacle 301 serves at least threepurposes. First, the identification code 311, when read by anapplication on the computing device 201, identifies to the applicationon the computing device 201 the specific test to be conducted. That is,the reagents for a test for one class of explosives test may bedifferent that the reagents for another class of explosives, for otherillicit drugs, for contaminated water, etc. Thus, one receptacle 301 maycontain reagents for the detection of illicit drugs, while onereceptacle 301 may contain reagents for the detection of certain classesof explosives. In one embodiment, the receptacle 301 may containreagents in one ampoule for the detection of illicit drugs, and reagentsin a second ampoule for detection of a certain class of explosives.Alternately, the receptacle 301 may contain one ampoule for detection ofcertain explosives and another ampoule for detection of otherexplosives. Thus, with appropriate identification and/or labelling onthe receptacle 301, the user 202 can select from a plurality ofavailable pouches and rupture one or both ampoules as required fordetection of a suspected substance. For example, if the user 202 wouldlike to test a substance for cocaine, the user would select a receptacle301 identified as that used for cocaine, indicating that the ampoule(s)contain the particular reagent(s) to detect cocaine. Similarly, poucheshaving the appropriate reagents are provided for other drugs, explosivessuch as ammonium nitrate, drinking water contaminants, etc.

The identification code 311 contains information to let the applicationon the computing device 201 know which algorithm to run during analysisbased on the colorimetric test to be performed, based on the targetedsubstance. It could also contain manufacturing date and lot number touse by the application to ensure that the receptacle 301 is not usingexpired reagents. If the application detects that a pouch containsexpired reagents, then the application will send an audio and/or visualwarning to the user 202, allowing the user 202 to conduct the test witha non-expired pouch.

Secondly, the identification code 311 provides manufacturing trackinginformation such as the lot number or date code of when the particularreceptacle 301 was made, which is read by the camera on the computingdevice 201 and obtained by the application.

Additionally, the identification code 311 provides an alignment feature,in that the application, via reading of the identification code 311 bythe computing device 201, interprets reads the identification code 311and determines the receptacle 301 is properly aligned and that the pad331 containing the substance being tested is a predetermined distancebelow the identification code 311 (for example, 10 mm), i.e., such thatthe application knows the location of the pad 331, being a predetermineddistance from the identification code 311 when the swab 330 is insertedinto the receptacle 301. For example, the size of the identificationcode 311 is measured at a distance that the identification code 311 isfrom the computing device 201 when the identification code 311 isscanned by the application on the computing device 201. Based on thesize of the identification code 311 when read by the application on thecomputing device 201, the application determines how big the testingwindow 310 is below the identification code 311 and adjusts to focus onjust the testing window 310.

Of course, the identification code 311 may be situated in any suitableorientation with respect to the testing area, above, below, left, right,etc. Additionally, any suitable distance from the identification code311 to the testing area may be employed, e.g., 1 mm-500 mm.

It is noted that the arrangement of the various structural elements maybe provided in any suitable manner and arrangement, and is not limitedto the specific configuration depicted.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary front plan view of the receptacle 301 showing thecover 304 b, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Thereceptacle 301 includes a testing area 319, defined within the neckportion 303, and framed by the testing window 310. A color calibrationswatch 325 that includes at least one color calibration sample may alsobe provided adjacent the testing window 310, as will be discussed later.In one embodiment, two color calibration swatches may be provided. Forexample, a red, green, blue block and a white, gray, black block may beprovided.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the neck portion 303 optionally includes a topraised face 303 a, left and right raised lower faces 303 b, left andright raised upper faces 303 c, a front raised face 303 d, and left andright side raised faces 303 e. In one embodiment, the left and rightraised lower faces 303 b, left and right raised upper faces 303 c, afront raised face 303 d extend outwardly from the cover 304 b at anglesnot perpendicular to the cover 304 b. Advantageously, the respectiveraised faces create a hollow reagent collection area (i.e., testing area319), as will be show in greater detail in FIG. 9 , which is configuredto keep the inserted swab 330 spaced from the testing window 310 andprevent the swab 330 and/or pad 331 from adhering to the testing window310 or an interior side of the cover 304 b.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary rear plan view of the receptacle 301 showing aninterior side of the base 304 a, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure. The base 304 a includes a bottom wall 320, as discussedabove. The bottom wall 320 contains at least one walled cavity 321 thatextends outwardly and downwardly from the bottom wall 320 and configuredto house the ampoule. The walled cavity 321 may include ribs 322 thatproject from a bottom wall thereof. Similar to ribs 306, 307, optionalribs 322 may extend laterally across the walled cavity 321 so as toenhance exterior gripping of the receptacle 301 and assist a user inrupturing, via a squeezing/breaking operation, the ampoule inside thewalled cavity 321.

The bottom wall 320 also includes laterally extending support walls 323that extend upward from the bottom wall toward the cover 304 b tosupport the inserted swab 330 from a lower side thereof. Thisconstruction allows the inserted swab 330 to maintain spacing betweenthe cover 304 b and the bottom wall 320 of base 304 a in the testingarea 319 so as to ensure accurate substance detection and colorimetricanalysis. The support walls 323 also serve as a guiding platform suchthat the inserted swab is accurately and securely positioned in thetesting area 319 of the neck portion 303. The support walls 323 are alsoprovided to prevent liquid released from the at least one ampoule intothe testing area 319 from being drawn upwardly via capillary actiontoward the proximal end of the receptacle 301. As a result, thereceptacle 301 is able to effectively control the flow of the reagentsin the direction of the distal end of the receptacle 301 and the testingarea 319 and prevent leakage out of the receptacle. Such a designenhances safety and clean-up during and after the colorimetric analysisis performed.

In one embodiment, the bottom wall 320 of the receptacle 301 will beeither black or white to provide the swab pad sufficient contrast forviewing purposes, so that the color of the swab pad undergoingcolorimetric reaction can be more accurately observed.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the transition between the main body 302 and theneck portion 303 is Y-shaped, which assists with the flow of the reagentreleased from the ruptured ampoule into the testing area 319 and ontothe pad 331. The walled cavity 321 includes tapered lateral walls 327 onan end toward the neck portion 303 to advantageously direct the flow ofliquid from the ampoule to the testing area 319 in the neck portion 303.The lateral walls 327 incline upward from a lower side of the walledcavity 321 toward the bottom wall 320. The lateral walls 327, togetherwith inner surfaces of the faces 303 a-303 e of the cover 304 b, andtapered bottom walls 324 (FIG. 10 ), define a flow channel for reagentto flow toward and into the testing area 319 at a controlled flow rate.In embodiments the lateral walls 327 may incline gradually or in astepped manner. The channel guide the flow of the reagent(s) to thetesting window 310 area where it will flow over the pad 331.

FIG. 6A is an exemplary right side plan view of the receptacle 301,according to an aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6A,the neck portion 303 of the cover 304 b includes the side walls 303 eand the side walls 303 e extend upwardly relative to the main body 302portion of the cover 304 b. Thus, the area of the neck portion 303 ofthe cover 304 b is stepped up from the main body 302 portion of thecover 304 b. Advantageously, this configuration assists in prohibitingan inserted swab from contacting the cover 304 b or testing window 310.

As also shown in FIG. 6A, in the raised window aspect of the presentdisclosure, at least one of the cover 304 b and the bottom wall 320includes a stepped portion defined by faces 303 b, 303 c, 303 d todefine a transition region between the main body 302 and the neckportion 303. The stepped portion may be inclined to allow fluid from themain body 302 to flow into and collect in the neck portion 303. In oneembodiment, the volume of the main body 302 is larger than the volume ofthe neck portion 303. A height of the main body 302 is taller than aheight of the neck portion 303. The difference in height allows anoperator to more securely grasp the receptacle 301 and also minimizesthe possibility of shards of glass and plastic from entering the neckportion 303 and interfering with a colorimetric test performed duringthe detection operation. As discussed above, certain of the side wallsof the neck portion 303 may taper inwardly from the side walls of themain body 302 at the stepped portion transition region to define theY-shape of the neck portion 303. The tapered walls also improve thespeed in which the fluids of the ampoules interact with each other aswell as guide the fluid into the neck portion 303. The tapered sidewalls also guide the swab 330 into a proper alignment position so as toenhance accuracy of the analysis portion of the detection operation.

The swab insertion region is defined at the proximal end of thereceptacle 301 by a flanged section 328 of the main body 302. Theflanged section 328 extends from an upper side of the main body 302 in adirection away from the neck portion 303. The flanged section 328includes the opening 308 configured to receive a swab 330 or a bulkamount of detectable substance and allows the swab or bulk substance topass through the flanged section 328, the main body 302 and into neckportion 303. The flanged section 328 is also configured to removablyretain and guide the swab 330 through the upper side of the main body302 and toward neck portion 303 such that the swab pad 331 is fullyretained and aligned within the testing area 319. The flanged section328 may also serve as a one way valve so that reagent released from theruptured ampoule and is drawn, via capillary action, past support walls323 toward opening 308 is prevented from exiting through the opening308. This construction enhances safety to the operator as well ascleanliness for disposal of the receptacle 301. Furthermore, the flangedsection 328 may include a resilient hinge section (e.g., at a transitionregion between a proximal side wall of the walled cavity 321 and theflanged section 328) that has sufficient flexibility relative to themain body 302 and neck portion 303 so that a user may grasp the flangedsection 328 to shake the main body 302 during the colorimetric testportion of the detection operation and to allow the reagent released inthe main body 302 to flow into the neck portion 303.

FIG. 6B is an exemplary plan view of the inside of the cover with a swabinserted in the receptacle, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure. The optional mounting protrusion 309 extends upwardly from adistal end of the neck portion 303 into an interior thereof so as toproject toward the testing area 319. The mounting protrusion 309 acts tostop a downward insertion (toward the distal end of the receptacle 301)of the swab 330 (i.e., test swab) during a substance testing operationby the user, in order to prevent the pad 331 of the swab 330 from beingplaced in a pool of the released reagent, which could cause an adversereaction between the substance on the pad 331 and the reagent if the pad331 were saturated by the pooled reagent.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary front plan view of an alternative embodiment ofthe cover 304 b of the receptacle 301 that includes a half-moon shape,according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The cover 304 bincludes a half-moon shaped recess 356, partially exposing a proximaltip of an inserted swab 330, in order to help the user 202 grip andgrasp and guide the swab 330 out of and into the receptacle 301. Forexample, the half-moon recess 356 provides for partial exposure of theswab 330 when it is placed in the receptacle 301, so that the user 202can use one or more fingers to place onto the end of the swab 330 andwithdraw the swab 330 from the receptacle 301. While a half-moon shapedrecess 356 is shown, it is noted that the shape of the recess may beformed of any suitable shape that would allow the user 202 to grasp theswab 330 for removal from the receptacle 301.

The cover 304 b includes air holes 477 on the top left and top right ofthe cover 304 b. The air holes 477 permit equalization of pressure aboveand below where the chemicals flow to the swab pad 331. By virtue of theequalization of the pressure, reagents are permitted to flow to coverthe entire pad 331, regardless of differences in chemical viscosity inthe various different reagents used in the different tests for targetedsubstances. The air holes are aligned with tunnels or channels 478, aswill be discussed in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8A is an exemplary right side exploded view of the receptacle 301shown in FIG. 7 , as a detection kit, according to an aspect of thepresent disclosure. The receptacle/detection kit 301 includes a swab 330having a pad 331 at one longitudinal end of the swab 330. Inembodiments, the swab 330 has a length substantially similar to a lengthof the receptacle 301; although, the swab 330 may be shorter in otherembodiments. When fully inserted into the receptacle 301, the pad 331 ispositioned within the testing area 319 of the neck portion 303. At leastone ampoule 340 is positioned in a respective walled cavity 321, wherethe ampoule 340 is retained in place. In one aspect, the walled cavity321 may be formed from a thicker material (e.g., plastic) than theremainder of the receptacle 301, to allow for the rupturing of theampoule 340 while preventing shards of the ampoule 340 material (e.g.,glass) from piercing the plastic.

When the ampoule 340 is ruptured by a user via a compressive externalforce applied to the receptacle 301, chemical reagent within the ampoule340 is dispersed by, for example, the magnitude of the compressiveforce, the pull of gravity and guided via the tapered interior cavitywalls 327 to the testing area 319. The receptacle 301 may containmarkings to indicate to the user where the compressive force is to beapplied to the receptacle 301. Such markings may be provided at areascorresponding to the ribs 306, 307, 322.

The ampoules 340 contain one or more chemicals (such as reagents) thatreact with test substances to produce a color. Examples of one or morechemicals are well known in the art. The ampoules 340 include a sealedcapsule that contains the reagents. The ampoules or capsules 340 may bemade of, for example, glass, plastics such as polypropylene, or othersuitable materials to ensure consistent, reliable rupture during adetection operation.

The receptacle/detection kit 301 contains ampoules 340 with the reagentsneeded for the colorimetric reaction. Once a swab 330 containingmaterial to be tested is reinserted into the receptacle 301, the user202 will squeeze the receptacle 301 with sufficient force to rupture theampoules causing the reagents, with the force of gravity, to travel tothe bottom tapered neck portion 303 of the receptacle 301, when thereceptacle 301 is held upright, although the same result can be obtainedeven if the receptacle 301 is held at an angle relative to the uprightposition (e.g., the receptacle 301 is held at a 45° angle relative tothe upright position or even horizontally). In certain implementations,the user 202 may sequentially break multiple ampoules 340 resulting insequential chemical flows. In one embodiment, protective sleeves areprovided in the detection kit that extend around the ampoules to securethe ampoules in place in the main body 302 and so as not to injure theuser 202 when the user ruptures the ampoules manually (with his/herhands). Advantageously, the user 202 is protected from fragments ofglass or plastic that may otherwise pierce the receptacle and cut theskin of the user 202.

FIG. 8A also shows that the bottom wall 320 includes a recessed entrance357, defining a portion of the swab insertion region. The recessedentrance 357 extends the length of the flange section 328. At thetransition region (e.g., at the resilient hinge section) the recessedentrance transitions into a recessed track 358, both of which help theuser guide the swab 330 into the receptacle 301. In embodiments, one ofthe support walls 323 defines a separation boundary that separates therecessed entrance 357 from the recessed track 358. In embodiments, adepth of the recess at the entrance 357 is greater than a depth of therecess at the track 358. In embodiments, the support walls 323 have aheight that is less than the depth of both recesses.

The recessed entrance 357 and track 358 each include sidewalls 359configured to guide the swab 330 into proper alignment within thereceptacle 301. The sidewalls 359 are tapered outwardly toward theopening 308 to provide a flange-like receiving opening for the swab 330.Once the swab 330 is inserted past the tapered section of the sidewalls359, the sidewalls 359 then become substantially parallel to alongitudinal length of the receptacle 301 to guide the swab 330 to theneck portion 303 and into the testing area 319. Advantageously, theseguiding features help the user 202 properly guide the swab 330 into thereceptacle 301 in a secure and speedy manner. In addition, the guidefeatures also serve as a storage compartment for the swab 330 before andafter a detection test is performed. The storage compartment minimizesthe risk of contamination of the pad 331 before and after a detectiontest is performed. The swab 330 is provided in the receptacle 301 priorto the detection test to minimize exposure of the pad 331 to theexternal environment to prevent contact with foreign surfaces orsubstances that may compromise accurate detection of substances beingtested. After the detection test is completed, the guide features helpretain the swab 330 within the receptacle for easy clean-up. Inembodiments, the receptacle 301 may have sufficient flexibility to widenopening 308 to allow a bulk substance to be inserted into the testingarea 319. Here, the guide features may define a slot extending from theopening 308 to the test window 310 to allow for the bulk substance to beinserted and tested. In other embodiments, the one or more ampoules maybe formed of a unitary/integral structure with the receptacle 301, e.g.,it is contemplated that the ampoules may be defined by a portion of thereceptacle 301 itself when the receptacle 301 is manufactured, e.g.,when the receptacle 301 is formed during a molding process.

In embodiments, the receptacle 301 includes at least one reagent ampoule340 and may or may not include a test swab 330. Indicia on an outersurface of the receptacle 301 include numerical or suitable identifiersassociated with the numbers of and locations of ampoules in the pouch.Additionally, the outer surface of the receptacle 301 and/or cover 304 bincludes the identification code 311 a predetermined distance to thetesting area 319. In embodiments, the predetermined distance is measuredas a distance from a position of the identification code 311 to aposition of the testing window 310 framing the testing area 319. Inother embodiments, the predetermined distance is measured as a distancefrom a position of the identification code 311 directly to a position ofthe testing area 319 and/or the pad 331. In still other embodiments, thetesting area 319 of receptacle 301 may be exposed without a testingwindow specifically framing or covering the testing area 319.

Air channels 478 are provided to receive air from air holes 477. The airholes 477 and the air channels 478 are in fluid communication and permitequalization of pressure above and below where the chemicals flow to pad331 of the swab. The air channels 478 are also in communication with thecavities 321. By virtue of the equalization of the pressure, reagentsare permitted to flow to cover the entire pad 331, regardless ofdifferences in chemical viscosity in the various different reagents usedin the different tests for targeted substances.

FIG. 8B is another alternate embodiment of the receptacle, according toan aspect of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the cover 304 bincluding the window 310 is predominantly flat without a raised y-shapedneck portion 303. Thus, the swab 330 sits snuggly between the cover 304b and the bottom wall 320. By virtue of the snug fit, the flow of thereagents is increased because of the capillary action between the swabpad 331 and the cover 304 b or window 310, as the solution flows fromthe crushed ampoules 340 to the detection area where the pad 331 ispositioned in the recessed track 358.

On the cover 304 b, the window 310 is transparent in order to allow animage of a reaction between the reagents and the targeted substance onthe swab pad 331 to be captured by the computing device 201. The cover304 b includes a half-moon shaped recess 356, partially exposing aproximal tip of an inserted swab 330, in order to help the user 202 gripand grasp and guide the swab 330 out of and into the receptacle 301. Thebottom wall 320 includes the sidewalls 359, the cavities 321 for theampoules 340, the recessed track 358 for the swab 330, the support wall323, the air channels 478, and the channels 324.

To help facilitate the flow of the reagent to the detection area wherethe pad is, the channels 324 are defined on the inside of the bottomwall 320 to guide the reagent downwardly to the recessed track 358 andthe detection area to contact the pad 331. As shown in FIG. 8B, thechannels 324 extend from the cavities 321 to the recessed track 358. Inan alternative embodiment where no recessed track 358 is provided, thechannels 324 extend from the cavities 321 to the detection area wherethe pad 331 is positioned.

A label 476 is provided which include the identification code 311 andcolor calibration swatch 325. Cross beam walls 479 are provided to keepsolution from traveling up the swab 330 and leaking out the top withcapillary action. In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 8B, a cover 476with the identification code 311 is provided. The window 310 is atransparent window below the cross beam walls 479, through which theswab can be observed, and captured by camera of the computing device201.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8B, cross beam walls 479 are provided and onlyone support wall 323 is provided, both of which prevents reagents fromtravelling upwardly and leaking out through the top of the receptacle.

As with the embodiment of FIG. 8A, air holes 477 and air channels 478are provided. The air holes 477 and the air channels 478 are in fluidcommunication and permit equalization of pressure above and below wherethe chemicals flow to pad 331 of the swab. The air channels 478 are alsoin communication with the cavities 321. By virtue of the equalization ofthe pressure, chemical are permitted to flow to cover the entire pad331, regardless of differences in chemical viscosity in the variousdifferent reagents used in the different tests for targeted substances.Thus, the air holes 477 in conjunction with the air channels 478, aid inpressure equalization and solution flow.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary right side perspective view of an inside view ofthe cover 304 b, of the embodiment of FIG. 7 , according to an aspect ofthe present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9 , the ribs 306 and 307project in a substantially perpendicular manner from a rear side of thecover 304 b. The mounting protrusion 309 may be defined as a part of aninterior lower wall of the cover or part of an interior lower portion ofthe testing window 310, or both. In this regard, the mounting protrusionmay extend upwardly from inside the lower wall of the cover 304 badjacent the testing window 310, upwardly from a lower side of thetesting window 310, or from both, so that the lower end of the swab 330is prevented from contacting the lower wall of the cover 304 a and/ortesting window 310. It is contemplated that the mounting protrusioncould be defined as a part of an interior lower wall of the base 304 aand project upwardly from the interior lower wall thereof as well. Byvirtue of the configured relationship between the top raised face 303 a,the left and right raised lower faces 303 b, the left and right raisedupper faces 303 c, the front raised face 303 d, and the left and rightside raised faces 303 e, a hollow recessed section is formed on the rearside of the inside of the cover 304 b such that the inserted swab 330 isspaced from the test window 310.

The inserted swab 330, which is positioned along track 358 so as to beretained within the receptacle 301, is thus prevented from contactingthe testing window 310, since the raised faces 303 a-303 e of the neckportion 303 create a space in front of the swab 330. Thus, during adetection test, while the pad 331 will absorb reagent, neither the pad331, nor the swab 330, will contact or adhere to an inside surface ofthe testing window 310 or cover 304 b in the neck portion 303. It iscontemplated that the cover 304 b may optionally include a rampstructure that including an inclined surface that projects from aninterior side of the cover 304 b and extends back toward the base 304 ato guide the swab 330 in a direction away from the testing window 310,as the swab 330 is slid downwardly in the receptacle 301. When the swab330 is inserted, the ramp structure is designed to ensure that the lowerend of the swab 330 is prevented from contacting the lower wall of thecover 304 b and/or testing window 310. Thus, a space is created betweenthe pad 331 of the swab 330 and the cover 304 b and/or testing window310. This prevents a capillary effect where excess reagent is caughtbetween the pad 331 and the cover 304 b and/or testing window 310, whichcould dilute the reaction occurring on the pad 331 and reflect lightwhen attempting to capture the reaction on the pad 331 with thecomputing device 201. Additionally, the air holes 477 are in fluidcommunication with the air channels to permit equalization of pressureabove and below where the chemicals flow to pad 331 of the swab.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary right perspective view of an inside of thebottom wall of the base 304 a, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 10 , the support walls 323 extend upwardfrom the bottom wall 320 to prevent the flow of liquid reagent from theruptured ampoules 340 from traveling upwardly toward the opening 308 ofthe receptacle 301 due to capillary action of the liquid between thecover 304 b and the swab 330 and between the base 304 a and the swab330. The support walls 323 extend across the recessed track 358 and maybe semi-circular or squared (or any suitable shape to support theinserted swab 330 and prevent liquid from traveling toward opening 308).Essentially, the walls 323 push the swab against the cover 304 b andcreate a seal to prevent liquid from passing the walls 323 and leakingout of the receptacle 301. In another embodiment, wells or troughs,rather than walls 323 may be used to achieve the same effect.

Air channels 478 are provided to receive air from air holes 477. The airholes 477 and the air channels 478 are in fluid communication with eachother and permit equalization of pressure above and below where thechemicals flow to pad 331 of the swab. The air channels 478 are also incommunication with the cavities 321. By virtue of the equalization ofthe pressure, reagents are permitted to flow to cover the entire pad331, regardless of differences in chemical viscosity in the variousdifferent reagents used in the different tests for targeted substances.

FIG. 11A is an exemplary front plan view of an alternative embodiment ofa receptacle 401, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Thereceptacle 401 includes a main body 402, a neck portion 403 extendingfrom the main body 402, side walls 405, and a cover 404 sealed to andextending along peripheral upper side edges of the main body 402 and theneck portion 403. The receptacle 401 also includes a bottom wall 420(see FIG. 11B) provided opposite the cover 404 so as to define aninterior of the receptacle 401. In one embodiment, the main body 402houses an upper first chamber and the neck portion 403 houses a lowersecond chamber. The neck portion 403 extends from the main body 402 in atapered manner toward a lower end of the receptacle 401.

As shown in FIG. 11B, one of the cover 404 and the bottom wall 420includes a stepped portion 444 to define a transition region between thechambers. The stepped portion 444 may be inclined to allow fluid fromone chamber to flow into and collect in another chamber. In oneembodiment, the volume of a first chamber is larger than the volume of asecond chamber. The height of the first chamber from the bottom wall 420to the cover 404 is taller than the height of the second chamber fromthe bottom wall 420 to the cover 404. The difference in height allows anoperator to more securely grasp the receptacle 401 and also minimizesthe possibility of shards of glass and plastic from entering the secondchamber and interfering with a colorimetric test performed during thedetection operation. Certain side walls of the second chamber may taper(tapered walls 403 a) inwardly from the side walls of the first chamberat the stepped portion 444 transition region. The tapered walls 403 aalso improve the speed in which the fluids of the ampoules interact witheach other as well as guide the reagent into the second chamber. Thetapered side walls 403 a also guide the swab 330 into a proper alignmentposition so as to enhance accuracy of the analysis portion of thedetection operation.

As also shown in FIG. 11A, a flange section 464 extends from an upperside of the main body 402. This flange section 464 assists the user inguiding the swab 330 out of and into the receptacle 401 toward a testwindow 410 when the swab 330 is fully inserted. The flange section 464extends from the main body 402 in a direction away from the secondchamber and the neck portion 403. The flange section 464 defines a slitopening configured to receive the swab 330 or a bulk amount ofdetectable substance and allows the swab 330 or bulk substance to passthrough the flange section 464 to the second chamber for a detectionoperation. The flange section 464 is also configured to removably retainand guide the swab 330 into the main body 402 along the upper side ofthe first chamber and toward a bottom side end of the second chambersuch that the swab 330 is fully retained and aligned within the secondchamber. The flange section 464 may also serve as a one way valve sothat reagent ruptured by the ampoule(s) 340 in the main body 402 isprevented from exiting through the slit opening. This enhances safety tothe operator as well as cleanliness for disposal of the receptacle 401.Furthermore, flange section 464 may include a resilient hinge section(e.g., near the interface of the main body 402 and the flange section464) that has sufficient flexibility relative to the main body 402 sothat a user may grasp the flange section 464 to shake the main pouchbody during the colorimetric test portion of the detection operation andto allow the reagent in the main body 402 to pool in the second chamber.The bottom wall 420 of the first chamber may be larger than the bottomwall 420 of the second chamber. The bottom wall 420 of the first chamberand the cover 404 may be flat surfaces such that multiple receptaclescan be securely stacked on top of one another for storage or fortransport.

In embodiments, the receptacle 401 includes markings 472 that identifyto the user the location of ampoules 340 within the receptacle 401.Additionally, a test identifier 474 identifies to the user what test theparticular receptacle 401 is configured for, e.g., explosive detection,drug detection. As with the previous embodiment, the receptacle 401and/or cover 404 may contain at least one identification code 411 thatoperates in a substantially similar manner as that discussed above. Aswith the previously discussed embodiment, a color calibration swatch(not shown) may also be provided.

Similar to that described with respect to the receptacle 301, thereceptacle 401 is configured to retain protective sleeves in the mainbody 402 that extend around the ampoule(s) 340 to secure the ampoule(s)340 in place in the main body 402 and so as not to injure the user 202when the user ruptures the ampoule(s) 402 manually (with his/her hands).Advantageously, the user 202 is protected from fragments of glass orplastic that may otherwise pierce the receptacle 401 and cut the skin ofthe user 202. In addition, the protective sleeve may include guide railsthat guide the inserted swab 330 received from flange section 464 intothe testing area.

In particular, the protective sleeve retains the ampoules 340 in a fixedposition along the swab 330 insertion direction. In embodiments, theprotective sleeve includes a top separation plate and two ampouleretention grooves extending from a lower side thereof to secure theampoule(s) 340 in the protective sleeve. Both the separation plate andthe retention grooves serve as a protection shield against shards ofglass when the ampoules are crushed. In addition, because the ampoulesare placed on a lower side of the separation plate, both the retentiongrooves and the separation plate minimize the amount of liquid reagentthat that is inadvertently splashed by the ampoule breakage and absorbedon the test swab 330 outside of the swab test area 319 therebycorralling the reagent and directing the same toward the second chamberfor mixing and reaction with the trace or bulk substance. The protectivesleeve may also incorporate glass breakage features to allow for rapidand reliable breakage of the ampoules 340 during operation. For example,inner surfaces of the retention grooves may include breakageprojections, etc. The sleeve may also include guide rails that extendupward from a top side of the separation plate toward the cover toprovide additional spacing between the ampoules 340 and the cover 404and to guide and align the swab 330 inserted into the main body 402 fromthe flange section 464 toward the second chamber in the neck portion 403for testing. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that a protectivesleeve may not be used, and instead a series of channel(s), formed inthe receptacle 401, itself, may be employed that hold the ampoule(s)340, and optionally, guide the swab 330. That is, a channel(s) could beformed in the receptacle 401 to retain the ampoules and prevent glassfrom piercing the receptacle 401.

The protective sleeve is resiliently deformable to its original shapethereby enhancing the ability of the protective sleeve to be manipulatedto effectively rupture the ampoules 340 and retain the shards of glassin the first chamber. In this regard, the protective sleeve may be madeof any suitable material to achieve such effects, e.g., any plastic,rubber, polymer, elastomers, etc.

FIG. 11B is an exemplary right side plan view of the alternateembodiment of the receptacle, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure. The cover 404 or the bottom wall 420 includes a steppedportion 444 that defines the transition region between the chambers. Thestepped portion 444 may be inclined to allow fluid from one chamber toflow into and collect in another chamber. For example, fluid travelingfrom a ruptured ampoule 340 will traverse the receptacle 301 and collectin the second chamber for a testing operation. As shown, the volume of afirst (upper) chamber is larger than the volume of a second (lower)chamber. That is, the height of the first chamber from the bottom wall420 to the cover 404 is taller than the height of the second chamberfrom the bottom wall 420 to the cover 404. Advantageously, thedifference in height allows an operator to more securely grasp thereceptacle 401 and also minimizes the possibility of shards of glass andplastic from entering the second chamber and interfering with acolorimetric test performed during the detection operation.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate various configurations for swab 330.The swab 330 is configured to be inserted and guided down in a distaldirection of the receptacle 301 (401) to the testing area 319 of thereceptacle 301 via entrance 357 and track 358, where it can be viewed.In FIG. 12A, the pad 331 contains a plurality of grooves. In FIG. 12B,the pad 331 contains a plurality of raised dots. In FIG. 12C, the pad331 contains a smooth surface; although, any suitable texture may beprovided on the pad 331.

The swab 330 can be employed by the user 202 to sample trace ornon-visible material. That is, the user removes the swab 330 from thereceptacle 301 and brushes the pad 331 of the swab 330 in the materialto be tested, thus picking up residue on the pad 331 of the swab 330.While in one embodiment the swab 330 is removable from the receptacle301, the swab 330 may also be integral with the receptacle 301, forexample, able to only partially slide out of the receptacle 301 toexpose the test surface. The swab 330 provides capability to performtrace detection of targeted substances. In one embodiment grooves 333may be provided to provide an enhanced gripping surface for the user202.

Advantageously, the test surface of the swab 330 includes at least oneof a variety of patterns designed to collect trace amounts of materialmore efficiently than flat, planar surfaces. For example, the pad 331 ofthe swab may include grooves or raised patterns 331 of one or anycombination of checking, zig-zags, diamonds, dots, triangles, v-grooves,cubes, squares, rectangles, circles, pyramids, chevrons, stars,polygons, etc. Additionally, the natures of the patterns would assist inthe gathering of trace amounts of materials to be tested fromnon-uniform surfaces, porous surfaces, cracked surfaces, textiles, skin,etc. Another alternative swab design includes Q-TIPS™ style swabs.

The patterns, including the grooves aid in collecting material from asurface to be sampled onto the pad 331 of the swab 330. The patternsgive the pad 331 surface features that help scrape material off asurface and become collected on the pad, affording the user enhancedtrace collection ability. As used herein, trace amounts include bothvisible and non-visible particles, including those in the microgram,nanogram, or picogram range.

In one embodiment, a stronger color signal may be achieved along thegrooves or raised portions, as a tendency of higher concentrations oftrace substance would accumulate in the grooves or raised portions. Inone embodiment, pad 331 is located on both longitudinal ends of the swab330.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary view of a label that may be affixed to the frontcover, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. In oneembodiment, after opening the application on the computing device 201, abox or other suitable shape is displayed on the display of the computingdevice 201. The user 202 then aligns the box with the identificationcode 311 on the receptacle 301. The application then performs a check todetermine with the identification code 311 is within the box on the userdisplay. If the identification code 311 is aligned with the boxdisplayed by the application on the user display, the applicationsignals the camera to capture the image. After capturing the image, theapplication begins analyzing the colorimetric reaction. In oneembodiment, the identification code 311 and at least one color swatch325 are printed onto the cover 304 b of the receptacle 301. As notedabove, the pad 331 containing the substance being tested is apredetermined distance below the identification code 311 (for example,10 mm), so that the camera can capture color of the chemical reactionbetween the reagent(s) and the substance.

While a QR Code™ may be employed as the identification code 311, othercodes and/or techniques may be employed, including near fieldcommunication (NFC), iBeacon, clickable paper, SnapTag, augmentedreality, GOOGLE™ Goggles, universal product code (UPC), radiofrequencyidentification (RFID), image recognition, MICROSOFT™ Tag, barcode,optical character recognition (OCR), machine readable indicia, image,code, graphical representation, symbol, label, pattern, emblem, stamp,logo, etc., including any combination thereof.

It is noted that any color pattern or other pattern that would berecognizable by OCR may be employed. In one aspect, the user 202 mayhave to line up a box with a printed box on the receptacle 301. OCR maybe used to identify unique shapes or colors on the label in order to getthe same info and also use for alignment. For example, a box displayedby the application on the computing device 201 may have to be alignedwith a corresponding box on the pouch 301, to achieve the correctalignment. In another embodiment, RFID and/or NFC technology in thecomputing devices may read a unique tag on the receptacle 301 toretrieve at least the test identification information. Thus, thecomputing device 201 could simply locate the swab 331 with OCR foralignment.

In one embodiment, the application on the computing device 201 uses awhite sample near or in lieu of the swatch 325 to perform correct colorcalibration. Thus, the swatch 325 is optionally provided on the label.

In an embodiment, one or more color swatches 325 of reference colors maybe provided to the left and/or right of the testing area so that theapplication on the computing device 201 can calibrate true color for thecolorimetric test, rather than a color anticipated by the applicationbased on the type of test being performed. That is, the application isable to determine lighting conditions during the test and adjust basedon the swatches 325 to obtain true colors. Algorithms in the applicationprovide color balancing by taking measurements of the reference colorson the swatches 325 during the test.

Advantageously, the application can accurately perform the colorimetrictest in all conditions, including various lighting conditions, e.g.,dark conditions, bright conditions, conditions affected by emergencyvehicle lights, etc. In one embodiment, the color of the reactionbetween the substance being testing and the reagents can be accuratelymeasured and/or adjusted in response to a known color sample in the formof the swatch.

In one embodiment, the color swatches 325 include red, green, and bluerectangular swatches in a vertical orientation on one side of thetesting area and blue, green, and red rectangular swatches on the otherside of the testing area. Between the red, green, and blue swatches andthe testing area, white, gray, and black rectangular swatches areprovided. It is noted that any order, number, shape, colors, andpositioning of the swatches may be employed.

In one embodiment, gray is the sole swatch adjacent the testing area, asgray is exactly at the midpoint between white and black thereforeallowing for a calibration to both and all colors. In anotherembodiment, ambient light may be correlated to the measured light andalready calculated effect on colors.

In another embodiment, color balancing can be done without anycalibration swatches or reference colors. In this regard, it is notedthat many computing devices have this functionality built into thecamera. In another embodiment, the color balancing may be based upon thewhite area around the testing window 310 and/or around the swatches 325.

In another embodiment, target color may be used directly. That is, if acertain test is known to turn from pink to light blue for positive, thena light blue swatch could be included on the pouch for the applicationto look for a match for that color on the pad. As another example, ifambient red tinted light causes any blue color to look purple, then thetarget reference color swatch is also made to look purple so that theapplication would know to look for purple instead of blue.

In one embodiment, at least one swatch 325 is affixed to the receptacle301 and/or cover 304 b with a label. In an alternative embodiment, theswatches are printed directly onto the receptacle 301 and/or cover 304b. Any printing process may be employed including offset printing,rotogravure, flexography, letterpress, screen, electrophotography,inkjet, laser, transfer, etc.

In an alternative embodiment, an outer sleeve of cardboard or plasticmay be provided and in which the computing device 201 may be inserted.The outer sleeve is configured to shield ambient light and/or align thereceptacle 301 with respect to the camera on the computing device 201when the receptacle 301 is inserted into sleeve (e.g., an externalalignment tool for use with the computing device and the pouch). Thesleeve is molded of any suitable material, including, cardboard,elastomer, polymer, etc. in a size and shape to fit over and conform tothe computing device 201.

In embodiments, the receptacle 301 (401) includes the identificationcode 311 and tapered testing area at only one end thereof. However, inother embodiments, the tapered testing area may be provided on bothlongitudinal ends of the receptacle 301. In this regard, the receptacle301 may be provided with ampoules on both sides (e.g., front and back)for multiple substance test capabilities. Thus, each receptacle 301 maybe used for more than one test. For example, one or more ampoules may beprovided on either side of the receptacle 301 for more than one test. Inthis embodiment, at least one identification code 311, at least one testarea, at least one color calibration swatch 325, and at least onechamber may be provided on each side of the receptacle 301 to facilitatethe testing of more than one sample. In embodiments, the ampoule(s) 340on each side of the receptacle 301 may contain different reagents totest for different targeted substances, or alternatively, may containthe same reagents. In still other embodiments, one or more partitionsmay divide the receptacle 301 along the longitudinal direction so thatmultiple testing areas on the longitudinal end are defined to performmore than one test simultaneously. In still further embodiments, thereceptacle 301 may be a double-sided pouch (with or without partitionsas discussed above) so that features on one side of the receptacle 301(e.g., the front) mirror the features on the other side of thereceptacle 301 (e.g., the rear), thereby also allowing multiple tests tobe performed on one or more samples by a single receptacle 301.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary flowchart by which a determination of thepresence of a chemical substance, element, compound is made, using atleast one color reagent, according to one aspect of the presentdisclosure. In operation, the user 202 opens the sealed receptacle 301,removes the swab 330 from the receptacle 301, and swabs the substance tobe detected with the pad 331. Alternatively, for bulk testing, a swabmay not be included in the receptacle 301, or if it is included may notbe used. For example, a pill or other bulk substance may be inserteddirectly into the receptacle 301 for bulk testing.

Examples of the substances capable of detection include explosives,drugs, contaminated water, etc. At step 1401, the user removes thereceptacle 301 from its protective packaging and removes the swab 330from the receptacle 301. At step 1402, the user 202 decides whethertrace or bulk collection is desired. If bulk collection is desired (step1402=yes), for example, pill, rock of crack, etc. the user 202 need notreplace the swab 330 and can place the bulk substance directly into thereceptacle 301 at step 1405. If trace collection is desired (step1402=no), the user takes the swab 330 and wipes the pad onto the tracesubstance, or otherwise applies the trace substance onto the pad withoutcontaminating the pad 331 by contacting the pad 331 with a foreignsurface. At step 1404, the user replaces the swab 330 into thereceptacle 301 with the pad 331 containing the trace substance.

For the bulk and trace collection, the user 202 ruptures the ampoules340 by applying pressure onto optional ribs 306 or 307 of receptacle301. When the ampoules 340 are ruptured, reagent in the ampoules 340travels out of the ampoules 340 downwardly through the tapered bottomwalls 324 and the tapered lateral walls of the cavities 321 and into thetesting area 319. At this point, at step 1407, a reaction occurs betweenthe reagents and a substance on the pad 331, in which, depending uponthe substance detected on the pad 331, turns the pad a particular color.At step 1408, the user uses the camera of the computing device 201 tocapture an image of the pad 331, which is converted to a digital imagein a known manner at step 1409. At step 1410, the colorimetric test isperformed on the digital image. After the colorimetric test is complete,the result is displayed on the computing device 201. The result, can betransmitted via email, text, etc. and may include images of the sceneand or suspect, test location on a map with or without GPS coordinates,notes, voice memo, and driver’s license information. Additionally, theresult can be transmitted with the manufacturing date and lot number ofthe receptacle 301, or any other information that may be useful to lawenforcement or to courts.

In one embodiment, once the bulk substance or swab is inserted into thereceptacle 301 for testing, the user seals the receptacle 301 with apre-positioned adhesive on an opening flap of the receptacle 301. Theuser manually ruptures the one or more ampoules in the receptacle 301and shakes the pouch to disperse the reagents within the pouch, downtoward a bottom of the receptacle 301. The reagents react with thechemical on the pad of the swab or the bulk chemical, which can beobserved by the user through the testing area. With the computing device201, the user opens the application and uses the camera to focus on thesubstance to be tested and capture the substance being tested throughthe testing area, after aligning the identification code 311 on thereceptacle 301 with alignment indicia generated by the application anddisplayed to the user 202 on the communication device 201. Theapplication analyzes the colorimetric reaction and displays the resulton the computing device 201.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show exemplary aligning indicia displayed on thecomputing device by the application with indicia such as anidentification code 311 or other indicia on the pouch, according to anaspect of the present disclosure. With respect to FIG. 15A, after theswab 330 with the sample to be tested or bulk sample is inserted in tothe receptacle 301, the user opens the application on the computingdevice 201 and activates the test by clicking a suitable icon on thedisplay. The application then activates the user camera on the computingdevice 201. In one embodiment, the application automatically activatesthe camera, while in another embodiment, the user 202 opens the cameraapplication manually. The display on the computing device 201 includeswhat the camera is viewing as the user 202 directs the camera at thepouch 301. The application will display a box, icon, image, or otherindicia on the display of the computing device 201, which the user willuse to align with an icon, image, or other indicia on the pouch 301.When the two are aligned, the application will read the icon, image orother indicia on the pouch and begin the test. In one embodiment, thetest is begun automatically at this point. In another embodiment, oncethe alignment is achieved, the user will select an indicator on thescreen or activate the camera shutter. In one embodiment, theapplication will provide an audio and/or visual indicator when alignmentis achieved. The size of the identification code 311 is measured at adistance that the identification code 311 is from the computing device201 when the identification code 311 is scanned by the application onthe computing device 201. Based on the size of the identification code311 when read by the application on the computing device 201, theapplication determines how big the testing window 310 is below theidentification code 311 and adjusts to focus on just the testing window310. Additionally, if the computing device 201 is positioned too faraway or too close from the receptacle 301 during or prior to imagecapture (based on the size of the identification code 311), theapplication will alert the user (e.g., a visual or audible alert) tomove the computing device 201 closer to or farther from the receptacle301 to achieve the correct distance between the two. That is, monitoringand maintaining a consistent distance from the camera will ensure that aconsistent number of pixels are captured from one test to another testby controlling the size of the test area, thus maximizing granularityand achieving detection at lower levels, resulting in reliable testing.In one aspect, a subsequent alert is provided to the user when theapplication determines that the receptacle 301 is at an acceptabledistance from the computing device 201. In addition, when theidentification code 311 is parallel with the computing device 201, dotsor other markings (e.g., shown as three squares in the upper left, upperright, and lower left of the identification code 311 in FIG. 3 ) withinthe identification code 311 are equidistant from one another in thex-axis and y-axis directions. However, when the identification code 311is not parallel with the computing device 201, then the dots or othermarkings in the identification code 311 lack this equidistantrelationship when viewed from the perspective of the computing device201. When a lack of a parallel relationship of the identification code311 to the computing device 201 is detected during or prior to imagecapture, then the application will alert the user (e.g., visual oraudible alert) to adjust the orientation of the receptacle 301 withrespect to the computing device 201. In one aspect, a subsequent alertis provided to the user when the application determines that theidentification code 311 is parallel to the computing device 201. Thatis, achieving the parallel relationship between the identification code311 and the computing device 201 will ensure that a suitable image ofthe pad 331 is properly captured and that each part of the image is thesame distance from the computing device, resulting in uniform imagesfrom test to test. In an alternative embodiment, with respect to FIG.15B, the application on the computing device 201 displays a box on thedisplay of the computing device which the user 202 aligns with a dot 371on the receptacle 301. Instead of a dot, a square or other suitableindicia may be employed.

FIG. 16 show exemplary flows of the process of the method and system andthe test process, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.While not shown, the system may include self-diagnostic test todetermine the status of the application and/or imaging elements of thecomputing device. In embodiments, the application is implemented assoftware processes that are specified as a set of instructions recordedon a computer readable storage medium. When these instructions areexecuted by one or more computational or processing unit(s) (e.g., oneor more processors, cores of processors, or other processing units),they cause the processing unit(s) to perform the actions indicated inthe instructions. Examples of computer readable media include, but arenot limited to, CD-ROMs, flash drives, random access memory (RAM) chips,hard drives, erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs),electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), etc.The term software is intended to include firmware residing in read-onlymemory or applications stored in magnetic storage which can be read intomemory for processing by a processor. In some embodiments, multiplesoftware programs can be implemented as sub-parts of a larger program orprograms while remaining distinct software programs. In someembodiments, multiple software programs can also be implemented asseparate programs. Finally, any combination of separate programs thattogether implement a software program described herein is within thescope of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the software programs,when installed to operate on one or more electronic systems, define oneor more specific machine implementations that execute and perform theoperations of the software programs.

At step 1602, the user initiates the test on the computing device 201.At step 1604, the user places the bulk sample or swab 330 containing anamount of the sample into the receptacle 301 and seals the receptacle301. The user 202 than manually ruptures the ampoule(s) 340 by squeezingthe receptacle 301 at a position corresponding to the location of theampoule(s) 340. In one embodiment, the pouch includes at least onemarking indicating for the user 202 to locate where to squeeze and thusbreak the ampoule(s) 340. For example, at the ribs 306, 307 as shown inFIG. 4 or the markings 472 as shown in FIG. 11A. At step 1606, the user202 aligns the identification code 311 on the receptacle 301 withindicia (e.g., a box) on the display of the computing device 201displayed by the application. In one embodiment, the indicia on thescreen may be a box configured to correspond with identification code311 on the receptacle 301. At step 1608, the application determineswhether the identification code 311 on the receptacle 301 is alignedwith the indicia on the display of the computing device 201. If theidentification code 311 on the receptacle 301 is not aligned with theindicia on the screen (step 1608=no), then processing waits for the user202 to orient the computing device 201 so that alignment is achieved.When the identification code 311 is determined by the application to bealigned with the indicia on the display (step 1608=yes), a picture ofthe testing area is taken. At step 1610, the picture may be takenautomatically upon alignment of the identification code 311, or the user202 may activate the camera shutter or application icon. In oneembodiment, an audio and/or visual indicator may be given to indicateidentification code 311 alignment or a lack thereof.

At step 1612, the picture is analyzed in accordance with colorimetricsoftware. If the application determines that the sample cannot be read,an audio and/or visual indication is provided to the user 202 to retakethe picture of the sample. When the application determines that thepicture is readable, colorimetric testing is performed and a result isdisplayed. In one embodiment, the colorimetric testing includes readingthe color of the sample and comparing the color against known colorstandards, e.g., where the wavelength of the color of the sample iscompared with known wavelengths. Thus, the testing identifies the sampleby an analysis of a spectral pattern of the image of the sample. In oneembodiment, the application may use a table, database, or other datastructure for comparison with known color standards. The user 202 thenhas the option to redo the test by performing alignment and takinganother picture or accepting the result at step 1614. If the result isaccepted by the user 202, a final report is issued. At step 1616, theuser then has the option to add various information to the reportincluding, location information, scene information, suspect information,time/date information, etc. GPS or location information may beautomatically added by the application receiving GPS coordinates from aGPS receiver of the computing device. A final report is generated atstep 1618.

FIG. 17A show exemplary flows of the analysis of step 1612 of the methodand system and the test process, according to an aspect of the presentdisclosure. In step 1702, the test application begins analyzing thesample. At step 1704, the identification code 311 is processed andparsed to identify the specific type of testing being conducted. At step1706, the information parsed from the identification code 311 is used todetermine the test type and obtain the algorithm corresponding to thetest type. This information may be retrieved from a database with whichthe application on the computing device communicates.

At step 1708, the application masks out extraneous matter to excludeeverything except that which appears in the testing area of the pouch.In step 1710, reference colors are captured, for example, from one ormore swatches adjacent the testing area, for calibration purposes. Atstep 1712, the application auto-adjusts brightness and contrast untilred green blue (RGB), white, and black values are within a predeterminedtolerance range.

The application uses a white sample near or in lieu of the swatch 325 toperform color balancing and accurate color calibration of the capturedimage of the test area 319 by the computing device 201, including thepad 331 with the substance being tested, the reagent, and at least oneof the swatch 325 and a white sample near or in lieu of the swatch 325.In an embodiment, the swatch 325 includes gray, red, green, blue, white,gray and/or other colors of the spectrum. If the swatch 325 includes awhite sample, then a separate white sample is not necessarily employed.

For example, when an image of the test area 319 is captured by thecomputing device 201, which includes the pad 331 with the substancebeing tested, the reagent(s), and the swatch 325 or white sample, RGBalgorithms are performed to take an offset from the captured colors toknown colors. That is, the color data captured is transformed fromacquired RGB values to new RGB values that are true colors.

In this regard, the application adjusts for various ambient lightingconditions present when the image is captured to in order to achieve RGBvalues that would exist under normal and ideal lighting conditions. Forexample, unfavorable lighting may exist on the test area 319 of thereceptacle 301, which would affect how the application interprets thecolor of the reaction between the substance being tested and thereagent(s). As one example, the correction ensures that a purple dot istruly represented in the image as a purple dot, even if a yellow shadowis casted over it during image capture.

That is, the application uses the at least one color of the swatch 325or the white sample, indicative of true color, to adjust the imagecolors.

For example, if an image of the test area 319 is captured that containsa white swatch on the receptacle 301, then the color of the swatch 325in the image is compared to known ideal white RGB values. The offset canbe taken for red, green, and blue RGB values for the white swatch color.This offset can be used over the remainder of the pixels in the image inorder to balance the color in the entire image. Assuming that the offsetis consistent over the entire image, the offset is effectivelyeliminated throughout the image.

In another embodiment, the red, green, and blue channels can all be usedseparately to take offsets of the given captured color swatch 325. Theseoffsets can be used to balance the histogram of the entire image andaccurately negate color casts and/or imbalances.

By implementing the RGB color adjustment algorithms, correctrepresentation of consistent color can be achieved across differentlighting scenarios.

At step 1714, the algorithm is run, and a check is performed as towhether values are presented within the color measurement schema, e.g.,correct HSV color range.

The application is configured to detect specific wavelengths of colorsdetected from the image of the reaction on the pad 331 captured by thecomputing device 201 in order to achieve an objective and sensitivemeasure of the color obtained by the reaction between the substancebeing tested and the reagents.

In one embodiment, the optical system of the computing device can readthe initial color corresponding to the spectral pattern of the substanceon the test area of the pad for color bias correction. During the test,the spectral pattern is observed and recorded. The spectral pattern maycorrespond to targeted substances such as toxic chemicals, drugs,explosives, biological agents, and/or radioactive materials in thevisible spectrum or in the invisible spectrum. The optical analysis isable to perform analysis over a broad spectrum including ultraviolet andinfrared regions of the spectrum. In this embodiment the color patternmay be associated with a spectral pattern in a database and the unknowntrace material is identified.

FIG. 17B show an exemplary flow for color balancing, according to anaspect of the present disclosure. At step 1750, an image is received ofthe reaction between the substance being tested and the reagent orreagents. The image includes the identification code 311 and the atleast one color calibration swatch 325, also referred to as a colorcalibration sample block 325. That is, the color calibration swatch 325may include a red, green blue block and/or a white, gray, black block.While the color calibration swatch 325 may include blocks variousshapes, rectangular blocks provide uniform edges.

At step 1752, an array of pixels of RGB values for each pixel in thecaptured image is collected. At step 1754, a determination is made ofwhich block in the color calibration swatch 325 to use in the evaluationis made. That is, the red, green, blue block and/or the white, gray,black block of the color calibration swatch 325 may be used. In oneembodiment, the determination of which or whether both of the red,green, blue block and/or the white, gray, black blocks of the colorcalibration swatch 325 will be used in the evaluation of the capturedimage is made based upon the lighting conditions that existed when theimage was captured. For example, in low light conditions such as night,both of the red, green, blue block and the white, gray, black blocks ofthe color calibration swatch 325 will be used. On the other hand, indaytime conditions with good lighting, only of the red, green, blueblock and the white, gray, black blocks of the color calibration swatch325 may be used. The determination of which color calibration swatch 325to use in this aspect is thus based upon the time at which the image wascaptured, using for example, the time of the computing device 201 whichis recorded at the time of image capture. In one embodiment, the usermay indicate via selection of an appropriate selection on theapplication interface, for example, which of the red, green, blue blockand/or the white, gray, black blocks of the color calibration swatch 325will be used in the evaluation.

In lighting conditions affected by emergency vehicle lighting, both ofthe red, green, blue block and the white, gray, black blocks of thecolor calibration swatch 325 may be used. In another embodiment, theuser may select whether the red, green, blue block and/or the white,gray, black blocks of the color calibration swatch 325 will be used inthe evaluation. In this regard, the user may indicate which block to useat the time the image was captured, via an appropriate selection on theapplication interface, for example, a check box on the user interface toindicate that emergency vehicle lighting was present. Optionally, theuser may enter the place and/or time in which the image was captured.Alternatively, the place that the image was captured may be obtained viaGPS coordinates or other Geotags that are transmitted to the computingdevice 201 at the time the image was captured. For example, if it isdetermined by the application that the image was taken in a policefacility according to the GPS coordinates or Geotags, then theapplication may assume that ideal lighting conditions existed at thetime of image capture, such that only the white, gray, black blocks ofthe color calibration swatch 325 are used in the evaluation.Alternatively, if it is determined by the application that the image wastaken in an outdoor setting according to the GPS coordinates or Geotags,then the application may assume that less than ideal lighting conditionsmay have existed at the time of image capture, such that both the red,green, blue blocks and the white, gray, black blocks of the colorcalibration swatch 325 are used in the evaluation. In anotherembodiment, the separate receptacles 301 may be used for good and poorlight conditions, which may be identified by the application via readingthe identification code 311 when capturing the image, and determiningwhich or whether both of the red, green, blue block and/or the white,gray, black blocks of the color calibration swatch 325 will be used inthe evaluation of the captured image.

In one embodiment, the application on the computing device 201 may, viaa push or pull operation, obtain weather information from, for example,the Internet, such that the weather conditions at the time the image wascaptured may determine which of the red, green, blue block and/or thewhite, gray, black blocks of the color calibration swatch 325 will beused in the evaluation of the captured image. For example, in brightsunny days at the time of image capture, only the white, gray, blackblocks of the color calibration swatch 325 may be used in the evaluationof the captured image. Whereas, in foggy and/or rainy conditions at thetime of image capture, both of the red, green, blue block and/or thewhite, gray, black blocks of the color calibration swatch 325 may beused in the evaluation of the captured image. In this regard, theweather information may be used in conjunction with the locationinformation as discussed above to determine whether the image capturewas performed outdoors or indoors.

At step 1756, an evaluation of the captured color of the colorcalibration block in the image is performed. That is, an evaluation ofwhether the captured red from the red, green, blue block of the colorcalibration swatch 325 is true red is made. For example, during lowlight conditions or situations of light pollution, the captured red fromthe red, green, blue block of the color calibration swatch 325 may notappear as true red. The process is repeated for the captured green fromthe red, green, blue block of the color calibration swatch 325. Theprocess is also repeated for the captured blue from the red, green, blueblock of the color calibration swatch 325. If any of the captured red,green, or blue colors from the color calibration swatch 325 are not truered, green, or blue, than an offset of each color is determined.

Alternatively, or in addition to evaluating the captured red, green, andblue from the red, green, blue block of the color calibration swatch325, the white from the white, gray, black block of the colorcalibration swatch 325 is evaluated to determine if the white is truewhite. The process is repeated for the captured gray from the white,gray, black block of the color calibration swatch 325. The process isrepeated for the captured black from the white, gray, black block of thecolor calibration swatch 325. If any of the captured white, gray, orblack colors from the color calibration swatch 325 are not true red,green, or blue, then an offset of each color is determined.

For example, a pixel of RGB color has red, green, and blue valuestherein. The image of the reagent and the targeted substance is capturedand the red calibration color on the swatch 325 is determined to have avalue of 225. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, thealgorithm compares the value of 225 to ideal red which has a value of255, and it determines that the offset is 30. Then, this offset of 30 isapplied to every pixel in the captured image, such that every pixel inthe image gets 30 added to the red channel in the RGB color. The othercolors in the image are handled similarly.

At step 1758, for any determined offset in step 1756, the offset isapplied to each pixel in the captured image to achieve color balancing.Thus, the colors in the captured image is now baselined, so that thecolorimetric analysis may be performed at step 1760.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C are exemplary screenshots according to an aspectof the present disclosure. The screen shot of FIG. 18A identifies to theuser where to align the identification code 311 so that an image of thereaction may be captured. FIG. 18B indicates to the user that a positivecocaine result has been detected by the colorimetric test, and providesthe user 202 with the opportunity to confirm the test or conduct aretest. FIG. 18C is a screenshot in a scenario in which the user 202confirms the test.

FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D, 19E, 19F are exemplary screenshots accordingto an aspect of the present disclosure. The screenshots of FIGS. 19A,19B, 19C, 19D, 19E, 19F represent a tutorial configured to be optionallydisplayed to the user 202 that will guide the user 202 as to theoperation of the application.

FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C are exemplary screenshots according to an aspectof the present disclosure. FIGS. 20A, 20B, and 20C represent homescreens that allows a user 202 to start a test, view test results,manage settings, purchase pouches, etc.

As discussed, a detection receptacle 301, computing device 201 such as asmartphone, operating system of the computing device 201, and detectionapplication operate to perform targeted detection. In one embodiment,the application is a computer program designed to run on computingdevices such as mobile devices, smart phones, tablet computers, laptops,notebooks, etc. The application may be pre-installed on the computingdevice 201 or downloadable from a supplier or application distributionplatform. The application provides a user interface that allows users toalign the pouch for testing, initiate the test, receive the testresults, interpret the test results, store the test results, and/ortransmit the test results over the network to which the computing deviceoperates. When the test results are transmitted, the application mayalso include the GPS coordinates of the computing device, and otherinformation relevant to law enforcement evidence collection and chain-ofevidence protocols, such as date, time, name of suspect, driver’slicense information, etc.

In one embodiment, the pouches may include a plurality of swabs,allowing the user to select from one to perform the test. In thisregard, the swabs may include different sizes, different shapes, or havedifferent patterns. That is, certain swab configurations may be moreadapted to test certain samples based upon, for example, the suspectnature of the sample to be tested. The pouch may include a clip oradhesive to provide for the secure closure thereof in order that thesubstance to be tested does not leak or does not become contaminated.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented using a hardware computersystem that executes software programs. Further, in an exemplary,non-limited embodiment, implementations can include distributedprocessing, component/object distributed processing, and parallelprocessing. Virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein, and a processor described herein may be used to support avirtual processing environment.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium 182 thatincludes instructions 184 or receives and executes instructions 184responsive to a propagated signal; so that a device connected to anetwork 101 can communicate voice, video or data over the network 101.Further, the instructions 184 may be transmitted or received over thenetwork 101 via the network interface device 140.

Although the apparatus and method for the detection of trace and bulksubstances has been described with reference to several exemplaryembodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used arewords of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation.Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, aspresently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope andspirit of apparatus and method for the detection of trace substances inits aspects. Although apparatus and method for the detection of tracesubstances has been described with reference to particular means,materials and embodiments, apparatus and method for the detection oftrace substances is not intended to be limited to the particularsdisclosed; rather apparatus and method for the detection of tracesubstances extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods,and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, the present disclosure contemplates the detection ofillegal and legal substances such as chemicals (e.g., benzidines,aromatic amines, dioxins, furans, PCBs, pesticides, hydrocarbons,inorganic substances, metals, nitrosamines, ethers, alcohols,organophosphates, carbamates, halogenated pesticides, phenols, phenoxyacids, phthalates, radionuclides, volatile organic compounds), drugs(e.g., cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, heroin,methamphetamine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mushrooms,phencyclidine (PCP), inhalants, crack cocaine, ketamine, amphetamines,narcotics, barbiturates, steroids, opioids, synthetic drugs, hormones,depressants, antidepressants, fentanyl, suboxone), explosives (e.g., lowexplosives, high explosives, nitroglycerin, trinitrotoluene (TNT), C-4,PE-4, octogen (HMX), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), ammoniumnitrate (ANFO), HMEs, triacetone triperoxide (TATP), hexamethylenetriperoxide diamine (HMTD), nitrocellulose), and biological agents(e.g., bacterium, virus, protozoan, parasites, fungus, toxins, molds).

In one scenario, law enforcement can employ the disclosed apparatus andmethod to test substances in connection with arrests, police stops,searches, investigations, etc. Military personnel can employ thedisclosed apparatus and method to test substances in connection withdetection of explosives, biologic agents, chemical agents, etc. Parentscan employ the disclosed apparatus and method to test for substancesassociated with their children. Parole or Probation officers can employthe disclosed apparatus and method to test for substances associatedpersons with whom they are responsible. In addition to hospital andmedical personnel that can test substances associated with patients,administrators or officers of institutions such as schools andcorrectional settings can test substances associated with persons intheir care. As another example, persons in the agricultural industry cantest substances in soil. Additionally, residents can test substances forthe presence of lead in paint or water; test for asbestos in homes; testfor mold in homes; and test for nitrate, iron, manganese, PH, volatileorganic compounds, fecal coliform, and/or E. coli in water sources.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include anycomputer-readable medium or other equivalents and successor media, inwhich data or instructions may be stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsthat may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference toparticular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited tosuch standards and protocols. For example, standards and techniques suchas (QR Code™, NFC, iBeacon, clickable paper, SnapTag, augmented reality,GOOGLE™ Goggles, UPC, RFID, image recognition, MICROSOFT™ Tag, barcode,OCR, machine readable indicia) represent examples of the state of theart. Such standards are periodically superseded by more efficientequivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly,replacement standards and protocols having the same or similar functionsare considered equivalents thereof.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of the disclosuredescribed herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may beutilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural andlogical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from thescope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merelyrepresentational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportionswithin the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions maybe minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to beregarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a receptacle isprovided for detecting a targeted substance. The receptacle includes atleast one chamber configured to accommodate a reagent and a test swab, afirst opening provided at a first end of the receptacle, a testing areaprovided at a second end of the receptacle, and an image readable by animage sensor and positioned a predetermined distance from the testingarea, the image configured to facilitate alignment of the image sensorwith the testing area for a colorimetric analysis.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure the at least onechamber is a first chamber and in which the at least one chamber and asecond chamber are in fluid communication with each other, and thetesting area is provided in the second chamber.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the receptacleincludes a main body defined by the at least one chamber, at least oneguide track extending through the main body from the first opening tothe testing area, and a cover that seals the main body, the testing areaand the guide track within the receptacle.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the receptacleincludes at least one support wall extending across the guide track andconfigured to prevent a flow of liquid from the at least one chambertoward the first opening.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the coverincludes a stepped portion that defines a transition between the firstchamber and the second chamber.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a height of thefirst chamber is taller than a height of the second chamber.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the guide trackincludes tapered walls that are configured to guide the test swab intothe receptacle toward the testing area.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, at least one airhole is defined on a cover of the receptacle to communicate with aninterior of the receptacle.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure the receptaclefurther includes color calibration indicia provided adjacent to thetesting area to facilitate calibration of a reaction color based on thedetection of the targeted substance for the colorimetric analysis.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure a detectionkit for detection of a targeted substance is provided including acontainer housing at least one ampoule, the at least one ampoulecontaining at least one chemical reagent, the container including atleast one test area that is visible through an exterior surface of thecontainer, a swab receivable in the at least one test area, and a codeon the exterior surface of the container at a predetermined distancefrom the test area, the code being readable by an image sensor, the codeproviding identification information associated with a detection of thetargeted substance and providing an alignment reference for the imagesensor, in which when a detection operation is performed, the at leastone ampoule is ruptured to initiate a flow of the at least one chemicalreagent to the at least one test area to react with a sample of thetargeted substance on the swab for a colorimetric analysis after thecode has been captured by the image sensor.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure color calibrationindicia is provided adjacent the at least one test area.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure the colorcalibration indicia includes at least one calibration sample providedadjacent the at least one test area.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure the colorcalibration indicia facilitates the calibration of a reaction color forthe colorimetric analysis.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure the colorcalibration indicia includes at least one color sample.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure the swab includesan elongated grip and a pad for collecting the sample of the targetedsubstance, the pad being provided on at least one longitudinal end ofthe swab.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure the pad includesat least one groove configured to collect trace amounts of material.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure the pad includesat least one raised area configured to collect trace amounts ofmaterial.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure the swab isremovably insertable into the container to facilitate collection of thesample of the targeted substance and to facilitate placement within thecontainer for detection.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure the containerincludes mounting protrusion configured to prevent the swab fromcontacting a distal end wall of the at least one test area.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a tangiblenon-transitory computer readable storage medium is provided that storesa computer program. The computer program, when executed by a processor,causes a computer apparatus to perform a process including interpretinga code on a test container, the code being readable by an image sensorand identifying a type of colorimetric analysis to be performed on acaptured image of a sample, retrieving an algorithm corresponding to thetype of colorimetric analysis to be performed, based on the interpretingof the code, masking information to retain image data associated withonly a test area of the container, capturing at least one referencecolor from color calibration indicia provided adjacent the test area,detecting wavelengths of color obtained by a reaction between a samplein the test area at least one reagent in the test area, and identifyingthe sample by an analysis of a spectral pattern of the image of thesample.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not beused to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Inaddition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may begrouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentdisclosure. As such, the above disclosed subject matter is to beconsidered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claimsare intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and otherembodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of thepresent disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissibleinterpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shallnot be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A detection system for testing a targetedsubstance, comprising: a pad that includes a test area for receiving thetargeted substance; and an image readable by an image sensor andpositioned a predetermined distance from the test area, the image beingconfigured to facilitate alignment of the image sensor with the testingarea for a colorimetric analysis based on the predetermined distancebetween the image and the test area.